1st Day of 4th Grade!

My new students entered my room with a coloring page on their desk.  I didn't say much to them about it, just to color it all in and to make each stick person in the picture themselves. They colored, some more happily than others.  I then told them that everything in my classroom will have a purpose and this activity is no different.  They entered my class today as individuals, just as they colored their own separate sheet, but we come together as a family just as the separate pictures together make a whole picture complete.

I then asked them to put the picture together and create the big picture.  They were all excited at first, but then some slowly went towards the back, not saying much at all.  There were leaders from the start that wanted to take control and direct every placement of every picture.  I tried to give out some hints, but very few listened.

I asked them to go back to their desk and think about what happened.  I asked them to reflect, where they one of the ones that stood back or took charge.  Did they listen to my advice or was their mindset closed to learning something new.  Some said they never knew coloring pages could be so difficult! I then asked them to try and problem solve again, this take taking an opposite role.  If they stand back, then now they will stand up and speak what their thoughts are, if they are normally loud, then they would stand back.  I told them this is trying something new if one thing doesn't work out.  They all looked at me like I was crazy, but gave it a shot.  They did a much better job of working together and listening to the others.  I then asked them if they were open to changing some of their pictures if they realized that it needed changing.  Some where and some where not.  I explained that this is how they problem solve.  They need to be aware of their behavior when problem solving, only then will they understand the different changes they need to make.  

I had a great first day with my new crew.  They are an awesome bunch!

Week 1

We started the first day off by coloring seperate sheets of paper that had drawing all ready on it.  I let the students decide where they wanted to sit and then they could start coloring their picture.  I told them they had to color the whole thing, there should not be any white space left.  They all did this without question.  Once we were done I explained that we all entered this room on our own, but we would leave this room part of a bigger picture.  They then had to figure out where their picture went in the bigger picture.  It took some time and communication, but they did it!

Our Class Mural

We then played the dice rules game.  I gave each table some dice and told them to start playing.  Some were confused and some started just making up their own game.  I then walked around and watched them play.  I would remind them they are to add/sub/multi and this caused serious confusion.  I then brought them back to whole group and asked them if they understood what I was asking them to do- they all said no.  We talked about what that felt like, to be confuse and frustrated.  I asked that they remember that feeling and understand why it is important that we have procedures and rules, so we know exactly what to do.  I then had them work in groups and come up with our classroom prodecures for walking in class in the morning, brain breaks outside, cafeteria and recess, and ending our day.

Brain Break Outside Procedures

End of the Day Procedures

Cafeteria Procedures

Morning Procedures

Hallway Procedures

Recess Procedures

 This week we also decorated our locker with a cool name design, acted out a day at school with drama cards, learned about our new chromebooks, a fun fourth day in fourth grade activity, and did some learning style tests.  It was a great week back to school and I am excited for this year!!